MUMBAI: Electronic music arrived pretty late in India and the community took over the responsibility of promoting, selfless endorsing and ensuring the process leads to the discovery of talented musicians producing the 'sound' that originiated from the warehouses of Chicago. House music never struggled to find venues in the American states or Europe. The genre's popularity multiplied with European countries offering suitable and appropriate venues without affecting the true essence of what the music stands for.

DJ and producer Hamza - one of the pioneers for initiating the scene in India - envisioned a 'scene' few years ago. The vision led to the birth of Wind Horse Records. Since 2009, the label has found the rhythm necessary to provide Hamza a reason for optimism. "Including me, we started with 2-3 artists in Delhi," remembers Hamza. "How it began was, how it usually happens elsewhere. We started playing our music, and promoting each other's music. Three musicians doubled to six, and then fifteen, and gradually Wind Horse Records produly represent 50-60 talented artists from across the country," adds the DJ.

Formed in 2009, not only did Wind Horse Records struggle to find a permanent home for House music, the agency, in its early days, realised the desperate need to locate and discover talented musicians representing the genre. Says Hamza, "Naturally, we started from Delhi. I knew few people or bedroom producers desperate for their music to be heard. Slowly, the news spread out and through word-of-mouth, we managed to set-up small-scale shows for few people who understand and enjoy House music."

Music community's growth is dependent on co-operation, and Hamza found out the sweet reality through the growth of Wind Horse Records. "The music community recognised us. But we wanted the people to know about us," said the founder of the country's first House music label. Unlike Rock or hip-hop, House music brings certain advantages to the scenario. "Almost all other genres require language, or partly depend on it. The fact that House music could be enjoyed and understood without the usage of words, acts as an advantage. And that explains the explosion of the genre throughout the globe," explains Hamza.

The producer emphasises on how Wind Horse Records never focused on only a singular purpose. The agency has managed to export Indian House music to the West, and also, created an image essential enough to attract few good DJs associate with the label and help the Indian artists.

The agency has partnered with Informal - a party house in Delhi located in an isolated space - for two months of performances focusing on House music. For the current musical programming initiative, Informal will host Bangalore-based Audio Units, signed under Hamza's label. Also joining the initiative will be local DJ Sheezan and Delhi-based Soulspace. With a plan to create an online blog for activities related to the scene, Hamza reminds why the 'sound' cannot and will not go mainstream. "House Music is supposed to be underground, and that is how it will stay. Take any country or society, it goes through quality and cultureal transition, and so did India. And the times are exciting for House music," said an enthusiastically optimistic Hamza.

So how does he explain the role of House musicians? "House musicians are Yoga instructors; but with sound," replies Hamza. And why does Wind Horse Records continues to be an ideal platform for House musicians and fans alike? "Few years ago, there were hardly any venues for the music. Right now, there are too many venues. What we (Wind Horse Records/Agency) do, is create a filter to inform the audiences of the best House artistes."

Hamza's agency has found a new home in Informal (for at least two months) to promote, educate and simply help the community grow. The agency, that carried similar activities in Hauz Khas Village earlier, intends to spread its network in several other parts of the country.